Commuting - 1001 a bike Odyssey

Well this morning as I rolled into work the computer showed 1001 miles, not a lot by some peoples standards, but for someone who just over four months ago had only been on a bike once in the past twenty years, and that time was 15 years ago, 1000 miles is quite a milestone :)

I've averaged 250 miles a month so far which is below my target of 400-500, but not bad as a start, especially as 95% of them have come from commuting.

What lessons have I learnt?

Well the most important one is that I like cycling. Another lesson, seems to be that if you're going to have a problem it'll happen in the middle of nowhere equidistant from work and home. Ice is slippery. Falling doesn't hurt that much, but does terrible things to your confidence. Inner tubes aren't too bad to replace. Dirty chains permanantly mark clothing. Cycling isn't always a cheap hobby. Cyclists are generally great people.

Thanks for all the advice

Richard

Looking forward to 2001?

The sign that you enjoy cycle commuting is that you feel guilty when you're not doing it. (As I have all this week) :)

Originally posted by Richard D
1000 miles is quite a milestone :)
Here's to your outstanding accomplishment. :beer:


Another lesson, seems to be that if you're going to have a problem it'll happen in the middle of nowhere equidistant from work and home. Ice is slippery. Falling doesn't hurt that much, but does terrible things to your confidence. Inner tubes aren't too bad to replace. Dirty chains permanantly mark clothing. Cycling isn't always a cheap hobby. Cyclists are generally great people.
You hit the nail on the head!
Cyclists are generally great people.
And we usually have a better outlook on things because we don't let these little annoyances get to us. They somehow make more aware of the really important things in life.

Originally posted by Richard D

What lessons have I learnt?

Well the most important one is that I like cycling.

You're coming along nicely young padawan. Now you must learn to LOVE cycling. To do this, wait for the day with the most miserable weather you've had for weeks. Go for a ride in it.


Another lesson, seems to be that if you're going to have a problem it'll happen in the middle of nowhere equidistant from work and home.
... and it'll be the one day you didn't have the tool you need to fix it with you.


Ice is slippery.
... and hard.


Falling doesn't hurt that much, but does terrible things to your confidence.
It's good to remember the first bit. It's also good to look for the lesson in each fall, AND LEARN IT. After a couple of days of jitters, you'll find you're more confident, or rather, more skillful, after a fall.


Inner tubes aren't too bad to replace.
Unless you forget your tyre levers (see above)


Dirty chains permanantly mark clothing.
It's how we cyclists recognise each other when we're in mufti. Look for the cyclist's tatoo (small chainring print on the inside right calf)


Cycling isn't always a cheap hobby. Make that 'ever'. And whaddaya mean 'hobby'?


Cyclists are generally great people. Except, of course, for couriers and critical massers.

Isn't it amazing to look at that number and try to fathom that you have ridden a BICYCLE that many miles.

Way to go, Richard!

Richard,
Cycling is more expensive than most non-cyclists imagine, but cheaper than anything else.
Compare the cost to regular use of public transport or car + the cost of regular excercise at a gym or swimming pool.

I calculated that using my bike instead of local buses and swimming, saved me over £5000 over 10 years.

To a cyclist, a transport budget of £5-800 up front + £100 per year is reasonable.
To a non cyclist, the cycling budget should be about £200 all in.
That wont buy a bad hi-fi system or computer. It wont buy sports equipment for any regular sport or leisure activity. It may buy about 6 months of regular swimming or local tranportation.
Most people pedalling £99 bikes spend more than that on their trainers.

Cycling isnt a free lunch, its a lunch you get paid to eat.

Michael

Congratulatons on the milestone! I'm eagerly looking forward to it myself.

Pedal on, my freind!

PH
:D

Congratulations, dude. Welcome to the club.

Way to go Richard!!!
I've hit 720 in about 3 1/2 months...but I guess I'm most proud of my cute figure. I weighed 170 (nekked) yesterday and I haven't seen that number is 10-15 years.

Big congrats on the one thou! Make the next goal exponential: 10000!

-Manderax

I ride, I fall down, I get up.
Meanwhile, I keep dancing.

Land End to John O Groats is just over 800 miles, so you have already cycled the length of this island. Well done.

Your 1001 Odyssey got me thinking, when we eventually send people to explore the planet Mars, could they use a bicycle to get around? I guess this would come under the heading "commuting".

Congrats, Richard:beer: , that IS an accomplishment!

Looking forward to the next thou'.:D